Red Bones

A Thriller

Baker & TaylorIn the aftermath of a young archaeologist's discovery of human remains that may be modern, Jimmy Perez is called in to investigate a case that is further complicated by the subsequent murder of an elderly woman.

McMillan Palgrave

When a young archaeologist discovers a set of human remains, the locals are intrigued. Is it an ancient find—or a more contemporary mystery? Then an elderly woman is fatally shot and Ann Cleeves’s popular series detective Jimmy Perez is called in. As claustrophobic mists swirl around the island, Inspector Perez finds himself totally in the dark.

This series is the basis for the hit BBC show Shetland, starring Douglas Henshall, which attracted over 12 million viewers in its first two nights on the air.

Blackwell North AmerSpring: a time of rebirth and celebration. And a time of death ... for April is the cruelest month. When a young archaeologist discovers a set of human remains, the island community is intrigued. Is it an ancient find - or a more contemporary mystery? Then an elderly woman is shot on her land in a tragic accident, and Jimmy Perez is called in by the woman's grandson - his own colleague Sandy Wilson. He finds two feuding families whose envy, greed, and bitterness have divided the surrounding community. Then another woman dies.

Baker & TaylorIn the aftermath of a young archaeologist's discovery of human remains that may be modern, Jimmy Perez is called in to investigate a case that is further complicated by the subsequent murder of an elderly woman. By the Duncan Lawrie Dagger-winning author of Raven Black. 25,000 first printing.

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Always, Cleeves sets her narrative against the backdrop of the Shetland Islands and usually that backdrop is limned in rain and wind and even sleet. Nights are usually long and days amazingly brief unless it happens to be summer in which the opposite is true. But there's still wind and rain. Jimmy Perez is the local law enforcement officer charged with solving crime on the islands. He moves slowly, shows tremendous patience but always solves the crimes however improbable the case may be.
In "Bones..." Perez is called upon to solve two murders, related in origins as well as perpetrator. The roots of the crime go back, way back, to the days of World War II and the Shetland Bus, a covert operation that spirited Norwegian resistance officers back to England.
As usual, foxy author Cleves leads you on a merry chase that lets you think you know who the murderer but then, like some exploding Rubik's cube everything you thought you knew comes undone and the culprit is someone else again.
The is a book you'll read non-stop. Just put on a sweater.

An archaelogical dig, old and not-so-old bones, fogs and Shetland islanders...Jimmy Jerez and Sandy Wilson have their hands full. Ann Cleeves tells a very involved story where nothing can be taken at face value. Hope this one makes it to the TV.

One of my favourite series.
The story is tight and interesting; great characters and I enjoy the Shetland setting thereby learning a little more about the islands and the lifestyle.
I highly recommend all Ann Cleeves books.
Shetland series (BBC ) can sometimes be seen on PBS.

Cleeves in her third book still doesn't disappoint. The characters are nicely developed and the plot moves at a nice clip. Interesting historical elements are included involving the WWII Norwegian resistance.

Set in the Shetland Islands this is- to use a colloquialism- a moody and atmospheric novel. It features his recurring policeman Insp. Perez who tries to solve an apparent accidental shooting of an elderly resident and then an apparent suicide of a young archeologist. The book was slow to start as he set the mood, terrain and culture of the island but as we become more acquainted with the characters the interest and pace picks up.
Ann Cleeves is a good and literate writer whose imagination produces intriguing stories.

A woman is found dead at an archeological site on Whalsay Island the apparent victim of a stray bullet from a rabbit hunter?s gun. Jimmy Perez and Sandy Wilson investigate but it looks like an accident. However, when one of the archeologists is found dead of an apparent suicide, it all looks too coincidental. Was it murder? Will secrets from the past lie at the heart? I really liked the mystery in this book. Also the character of Sandy Wilson is developed and allowed to grow up and spread his wings.